MARYLAND - The "Old Line State," possesses a unique and complex history, distinguished by its origins as a haven for English Catholics and its evolution through periods of religious tolerance, conflict, and ultimately, its role in the birth of the United States.
Maryland: A Colony Founded on Religious Freedom and Shaped by Conflict
This article explores the founding and early history of Maryland, tracing its journey from a proprietary colony under the Calvert family to its eventual statehood and its enduring legacy.
A Vision of Religious Refuge: George and Cecilius Calvert
The story of Maryland's founding begins with George Calvert, the 1st Baron Baltimore, an English nobleman who converted to Catholicism. Facing discrimination in England due to his faith, Calvert envisioned a colony in North America where Catholics could practice their religion freely (Source: Biographies of George Calvert, histories of English Catholicism in the 17th century).
In 1632, King Charles I granted a charter to Cecilius Calvert, the 2nd Baron Baltimore (George Calvert's son, as the elder Calvert died shortly before the charter was finalized), for a colony north of the Potomac River. This charter gave the Calverts extensive powers, essentially making them feudal lords of the new territory (Source: Maryland Charter, Maryland State Archives). Cecilius Calvert named the colony "Maryland" in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria, the Catholic wife of King Charles I, further emphasizing the colony's intended role as a haven for Catholics (Source: Historical accounts of Maryland's naming).
The Ark and the Dove: Arrival and Establishment (1634)
In 1634, the first settlers, led by Leonard Calvert (Cecilius's brother and the first governor of Maryland), arrived in the Chesapeake Bay aboard two ships, the Ark and the Dove (Source: Accounts of the Ark and Dove voyage, Maryland Historical Society).
They landed at St. Clement's Island in the Potomac River on March 25, 1634, a date now commemorated as Maryland Day. The settlers then established St. Mary's City, the first permanent settlement in Maryland and the colony's first capital, on land purchased from the Yaocomaco people (Source: Historic St. Mary's City website, archaeological research).
The Maryland Toleration Act (1649): A Landmark in Religious Freedom
While Maryland was founded as a haven for Catholics, it also extended a degree of religious tolerance to other Christians. In 1649, the Maryland colonial assembly, under the influence of the Calverts, passed the Act Concerning Religion, often called the Maryland Toleration Act. This was one of the first laws in the colonies to grant religious freedom to Christians (though it notably excluded non-Christians), representing a significant, if limited, step towards religious liberty in America (Source: Maryland Toleration Act text, Maryland State Archives).
The Protestant Revolution (1689): Internal Conflict and Royal Control
Despite the Calverts' intentions, religious tensions and political instability plagued early Maryland. In 1689, inspired by the Glorious Revolution in England, a group of Protestants in Maryland revolted against the Catholic-dominated proprietary government. They overthrew the Calvert administration, outlawed Catholicism, and established a new government. This period of unrest eventually led to Maryland becoming a royal colony, under direct control of the English Crown (Source: Histories of colonial Maryland, accounts of the Protestant Revolution).
Maryland and the American Revolution
Maryland played a significant role in the American Revolution, with its citizens actively participating in the fight for independence from Great Britain. Maryland troops earned a reputation for bravery and discipline, contributing to the "Old Line State" nickname.
Statehood and the Mason-Dixon Line
Maryland became the 7th state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788, officially joining the newly formed nation.
The boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania, a source of dispute for many years, was eventually settled by the surveying of the Mason-Dixon Line by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, hired by the Calvert and Penn families. This line would later become famously associated with the division between free and slave states (Source: Histories of the Mason-Dixon Line).
Maryland's founding and early history are a complex tapestry of religious ideals, colonial ambition, internal conflict, and ultimately, a contribution to the birth of a nation. From its origins as a haven for Catholics under the Calvert family to its role in the American Revolution and its eventual statehood, Maryland's story is a unique and important chapter in American history. Exploring its historic sites, like St. Mary's City, and understanding its evolution provides a valuable perspective on the diverse forces that shaped the United States.
Sources:
- Maryland Charter (Maryland State Archives)
- Biographies of George Calvert and Cecilius Calvert
- Accounts of the Ark and Dove voyage
- Maryland Historical Society
- Historic St. Mary's City website
- Maryland State Archives
- Maryland Toleration Act text
- Histories of colonial Maryland
- Histories of the Mason-Dixon Line
- U.S. National Archives
